Cramer visit means good news
By Ken Bonner
The Daily Sentinel
Published August 14, 2007
U.S. Congressman Bud Cramer (D-Huntsville) announced funding for improvements at Scottsboro Municipal Airport - Word Field Monday.
Cramer joined officials from across Jackson County at the airport to celebrate $550,000 funding for the facility. The money will be used to upgrade the runway surface, acquire additional property for further expansion and to install an AWOS (Airport Weather Observance System) to provide better and safer approaches for pilots during inclement weather.
"We need this airport to be modern," Cramer said. "This community has put together a plan to modernize our airport as well as enhance its features and services to make it more attractive to prospective businesses," Cramer said. "It (funding) will help ensure that our airport remains a facility that we can highlight to industry consultants and executives as a place that will provide immediate access to and from our community."
The funding is included in the fiscal year 2008 Transportation — HUD Appropriations Act.
Cramer credited a local, state and federal partnership for positioning the area to be ready for industry.
"We've got the industrial park. We've got spec (speculative) buildings. We are setting ourselves apart from other communities across the country," Cramer said of the effort being made to attract new jobs to Jackson County. "These partnerships are very important. The entire Jackson County area has been working collectively for many years to increase the area's opportunities for economic growth."
Cramer helped secure $1.65 million in funding to develop the new Jackson County Industrial Park at Hollywood. He noted that KTNA, a joint venture between French and Japanese firms, would soon open a facility to produce interior components for the automotive industry.
KTNA is scheduled to open its facility in late 2007 or early 2008. The company will begin operations with 25 employees and plans to expand its workforce to 70 within three years.
"All of our hard work is paying dividends for our community," he said. "I think we're doing well but I think we can do better. We've got a lot of irons in the fire. We need to take advantage of those."
Cramer is visiting many areas of North Alabama while Congress is in recess. He was greeted Monday not only by governmental leaders but by business leaders as well. The congressman lauded the efforts of Jackson County Economic Development Authority Director and CEO Dus Rogers, IMPACT Learning Center Director Ann Kennamer and other local leaders to recruit industry to the area and to make sure the area's workforce is prepared for the jobs of the future.
Rogers called the proposed airport improvements, "another tool in our toolbox," as he thanked Cramer for his support of economic development issues.
"Thank you for what you do for us," Rogers told Cramer. "Thank you that your focus is long term and that your objective is to improve our area and improve economic development."
IMPACT recently received a $175,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to acquire new interactive technology that will help equip students to become competitive in a global marketplace. Cramer said the funding will allow the center to continue in its role of service as Jackson County's workforce development leader.
"The airport is a key to economic development. It's part of our way of getting company executives in and out of here," Cramer said.
In introducing Cramer, airport advisory board chairman Rudder Williams, who also serves on the JCEDA, thanked the congressman for his continued support of the facility.